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alma mater
Meaning: the school, college, or university that one attended or in which one has studied
Example: He was delighted when he was offered the position of professor of English at his alma mater.

brain drain
Meaning: the migration of highly skilled or trained people from a particular country
Example: The slowdown in the advanced countries triggered a reverse brain drain to developing countries.

in the bad books
Meaning: out of favour
Example: Maria remains in his bad books after the argument between both.

black book
Meaning: a book containing a list of secret contacts
Example: Ann will not invite Bob to the party because he has been in her black books for so long.

take a cue from
Meaning: to do what is recommended by someone else
Example: I’m not good at belly dance, so I’ll take my cue from you.

fly off the handle
Meaning: To lose one’s temper and get angry for seemingly no reason (does not usually refer to situations that would warrant an emotional response).
Example: I was so happy to find a parking spot and get out of the store when Jim came flying off the handle and yelled at me in front of everyone in line.

cold shoulder
Meaning: to treat somebody with coldness and contempt
Example: I fought with my wife, and she is now giving me the cold shoulder.

in hot water
Meaning: in trouble or state of shame
Example: The opposition leader landed himself in a whole load of hot water after making several vulgar comments.

leg up
Meaning: give or receive assistance to achieve a goal
Example: Completing the summer study program gives pupils a leg up in the following academic year.

get the sack (boot, axe)
Meaning: be dismissed from the job
Example: If you can’t do your job properly, you’re going to get the sack.

skeleton in the closet
Meaning: a secret of an embarrassing, guilty or shameful nature that you don’t want to disclose
Example: I have come to know that Eric has a skeleton in his cupboard.

part and parcel
Meaning: something that is a basic or essential element of the whole
Example: Darkness is part and parcel of the night.

spill the beans
Meaning: disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely
Example: Lauren finally spilled the beans. She has been promoted to manager, and it’s going to upset some people in the office.

weather the storm
Meaning: handle a difficult period of time successfully
Example: There haven’t been any tourists this year, and the hotels, campsites, and restaurants are having to weather the storm until things pick up again.

the ball is in your court
Meaning: the initiative for taking action lies with somebody
Example: We did what we could, and now the ball is in your court.

on the ball
Meaning: alert to new trends, ideas, and methods
Example: The mother is glad to know that her son is always on the ball to learn new things in class.

on/to hand
Meaning: present, nearby, close, or easily accessible
Example: My parents are always on hand if we need a babysitter.

time puts everything in its place
Meaning: time is persistent; as it passes eventually, everything goes back to its original state or place
Example: After my breakup with Judy, I couldn’t understand why things had to end so tragically, but I now understand time puts everything in its place in my new relationship.

white paper
Meaning: official report or guide
Example: The government will be issuing a white paper later this week.

no pain, no gain
Meaning: it is necessary to work hard or strive to reap rewards
Example: If you want to win the title next month, you have to train for an extra hour every day next week. No pain, no gain.

red tape
Meaning: over excessive or time-consuming rules and bureaucracy that hinder progress
Example: She could have finished the project last week, but it was impossible to cut through all the red tape.

take it up/down a notch
Meaning: apply more effort to achieve a goal
Example: The team got through to the quarter-finals. Now they need to take it up a notch to get to the semis.

pour oil on troubled waters
Meaning: try to calm, soothe or placate a problematic situation
Example: She’s such a calm person; last week, the whole office was in uproar until she stepped in and poured oil on troubled waters.

elephant in the room
Meaning: a difficult, controversial, or obvious problem that no one wants to talk about or mention because the subject is problematic, uncomfortable, or awkward
Example: When Geoff arrived at the meeting yesterday, he had a huge black eye. He gave us no explanation, and nobody dared ask him about it. So we sat there for the whole morning with this elephant in the room.

barking dogs seldom bite
Meaning: to threaten someone, but not take action or follow through with threats
Example: “I haven’t finished my maths homework. You know what Mr Peterson is like, he’ll shout so loud they will hear him in the next town.”
“Yes, but barking dogs seldom bite. It’s just his way.”

nail in the coffin
Meaning: an action/event that will help bring about the death, end, or failure of something or someone
Example: She was late for the fourth day in a row. It will be another nail in her coffin when the boss hears about it.

break the ice
Meaning: to do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable, especially at the start of a meeting or party
Example: Jone suggested playing a party game to break the ice.

more than meets the eye
Meaning: not as simple as it looks
Example: I had done some research, but there’s more to the subject than meets the eye.

in the red
Meaning: more money going out than coming in
Example: If your bank account goes in the red, the bank will charge you for every transaction.

white elephant
Meaning: an expensive item with no use or purpose
Example: Everyone thought the Olympic stadiums would be a white elephant after the closing ceremony.

in hand
Meaning: under control
Example: Don’t worry about a thing; I’ve got it all in hand. I did it all online.

straight shooter
Meaning: someone who speaks the truth
Example: I really like Ken. He’s a straight shooter, that’s for sure.

crack the whip
Meaning: make someone work harder by asserting power or authority
Example: We’d better get some work done, or he’ll crack the whip when he gets back from his tea break.

heads will roll
Meaning: people will be fired or forced to resign
Example: Heads are going to roll when the boss finds out about the missing stock.

rocket science
Meaning: something very difficult to understand
Example: I’ve no idea why Kelly can’t make a spreadsheet, and it’s not exactly rocket science is it?

black mood
Meaning: to be angry, irritable or in a temper
Example: Geoff was in one of his black moods today, and no amount of cajoling could snap him out of it.

red-handed
Meaning: doing or about to do something illegal or wrong
Example: They caught him red-handed with his fingerprints all over the murder weapon.

eye candy
Meaning: attractive visually but uninteresting in other ways
Example: The company website was pure eye candy because it looks good, but nothing is intere

in light of
Meaning: because of
Example: In light of what happened last week, please take care on the escalators.

old school
Meaning: old fashioned ideas or approach compared to current trends
Example: Dress smart when you come round for dinner, my father is a bit old school.

bite head off
Meaning: overreact in an angry or harsh way
Example: His mother nearly bit his head off when he got his new shoes dirty.

prevention is better than cure
Meaning: easier to stop problems than correct them later
Example: It is good to keep vaccinations up to date as prevention is better than cure.

in the loop
Meaning: to be aware of the information
Example: Katy was always happy that her friends kept her in the loop with the latest gossip.

pipe dream
Meaning: an impossibility
Example: His plans of becoming an astronaut are a pipe dream, he should be more realistic.

fair and square
Meaning: done according to the rules
Example: The supporters for the other team were angry but we won the game fair and square.

ahead of the curve
Meaning: better than others
Example: His ideas are so innovative, he is way ahead of the curve. He might end up running the company at this rate.

does exactly what it says on the tin
Meaning: someone or something is exactly as they seem
Example: This medicine does exactly what it says on the tin, because I feel so much better.

home is where the heart is
Meaning: a place you feel connected to emotionally
Example: No matter where I go, it’s always so lovely to come back here. Home is where the heart is after all.

sticky fingers
Meaning: keep objects that don’t belong to you
Example: Money had started disappearing from the treasury coffers so, they realised that someone had sticky fingers.

apple pie order
Meaning: neat and tidy in the arrangement
Example: My mother is always cleaning. The house is in apple-pie order.

on a tear
Meaning: very active or suddenly active
Example: Peter called to say he was getting an earlier train so, I been on a tear to get to the station in time.

the smell of an oily rag
Meaning: a slim or frugal amount
Example: When we were students, we didn’t have much money and we got by on the smell of an oily rag most days.

bring owls to Athens
Meaning: something that is pointless
Example: The chancellor has a plan to increase taxes, thinking that this would improve the economy. It would bring owls to Athens.

anything but
Meaning: by no means
Example: We went to see that new action film on Thursday night and it was anything but good, in fact, I fell asleep.

square peg in a round hole
Meaning: a person who doesn’t fit into societies norm
Example: How he got the job I will never know. He’s like a square peg in a round hole.

hit or miss
Meaning: something is arranged in a haphazard fashion
Example: “Have you tried the new bar on the corner? We’ve been three times and it’s a bit hit and miss.”

silver lining
Meaning: sadness or unpleasant things can have a positive side effect
Example: If it’s the tough time in your life, it comes with many silver linings.

in the air
Meaning: something like a mood that everybody can feel
Example: You could feel the tension in the air as everyone waited to hear the announcement.

make light of
Meaning: to treat something as if it isn’t important
Example: You need to stop making light of this situation. You could be in serious trouble.

through thick and thin
Meaning: under all conditions, no matter how challenging or difficult
Example: My best friend has supported me through thick and thin.

in no time
Meaning: a very short period of time
Example: I completed the project in no time at all.

throw down the gauntlet
Meaning: to accept a challenge
Example: When it comes to the rights of animals, we are always willing to throw down the gauntlet.

way forward
Meaning: the only way to succeed
Example: I believe that digital learning is the way forward.

on edge
Meaning: to feel tense or unable to relax
Example: I am sorry for snapping at you. I have been a bit on edge since I found out that they are selling our company.

a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor
Meaning: a proverb that means easy situations can never improve you or make you better
Example: You are just cutting days in the comfort of your home and spending your parents’ money. You need to really get out and face the actual life. Remember, a smooth sea has never made a skilled sailor.

drain the swamp
Meaning: rooting out the practice of corruption
Example: No matter how critical it is, Draining the swamps would be just about impossible unless we citizens take action against it in the union.

ride high
Meaning: when someone is very successful
Example: Our team won four college tournaments in a row this year! Why wouldn’t the team be riding high!

at odds
Meaning: to disagree about something
Example: They are at odds about the fundraiser that I being held on Saturday.

under siege
Meaning: to be under attac
Example: The president came under siege for his radical decisions.

have no business
Meaning: to do something that you should not be doing
Example: You have no business discussing my personal life with your friends.

take heart
Meaning: to stay confident and positive
Example: We lost the elections – it is a part of the game. But we absolutely take heart in the apparently greater awareness and involvement of the young generation in keeping the spirit of democracy.

rake over the coals
Meaning: drag over the coals
Example: My classmate Lily forgot to do her math homework as she had a function to attend in her family. The teacher raked her over the coals for that.

stand in a good stead
Meaning: to be of advantage to someone
Example: His years of experience in the spoken English field has stood him in good stead.

smack dab
Meaning: exactly
Example: We got our water balloons fully filled and threw smack dab at their heads. It was fun, I tell you!

get a life
Meaning: to stop wasting a lot of time in useless or boring or trivial works
Example: You are working over 100 hours a week, dude, get a life!

throw under the bus
Meaning: to betray a partner, colleague or close friend for self-benefits
Example: Mark always looks for someone to blame and throw under the bus for his failings.

cold sweat
Meaning: the condition where extreme fear or nervousness causes a person to feel a chill along with moist skin or sweat
Example: I woke up from a nightmare, breathing heavy and in cold sweat.

on the horizon
Meaning: an event that is most likely going to happen soon
Example: I have seen the way your boss praises your work. I am sure that a promotion is on the horizon.

wild goose chase
Meaning: wasting resource working on something that does not exist
Example: They tampered with my research. Thank God I found it out. I’m sure they were hoping to send me on a wild goose chase as I continue my research.

kick the can down the road
Meaning: to avoid dealing with a problem
Example: I realise that the house needs to be painted but we are going to move in a few years so I am kicking the can down the road.

and so on
Meaning: and related stuff
Example: I enjoy outdoor sports like swimming, surfing, hiking and so on.

eat crow
Meaning: being proven wrong after taking a strong stand
Example: No that my brother has proved that I was wrong I will have to eat crow

on a silver platter
Meaning: to get something without having to work for it
Example: She has never had to work a day in her life. Her parents hand her everything on a silver platter.

zero-sum game
Meaning: to be in a situation where the outcomes can either be to win or to lose
Example: The budget division is a zero-sum game

roll the dice
Meaning: to gamble or take a chance on something or someone
Example: The bartender decided to roll the dice and use rum for the cocktail since they were out of gin

sitting duck
Meaning: to be an easy target
Example: The fact that she had no backup plan in case she got caught made her a sitting duck.

in a huff
Meaning: to be upset or angry about something
Example: June was very upset because her mother would not buy her a new pair of shoes, so she stormed out of the room in a huff.

pat on the back
Meaning: to receive or express praise for a job well done
Example: He received a pat on the back from his boss from the new project that he landed.

heart touching
Meaning: an event that makes you feel happy
Example: We watched a heart-touching movie about a boy who lived next to a concentration camp during the Second World War.

tick off
Meaning: to make a mark next to items on a list that have been completed
Example: I would like to tick off some more items on my list before going home.

mull over
Meaning: to take a long time to make a decision
Example: I will need to mull things over before I decide whether or not to start my own business. It is a big decision.

right away
Meaning: to do something immediately
Example: I promise to complete my homework right away.

turn out
Meaning: to arrive at an event
Example: They had fewer people turn out for their party than they anticipated.

for a while
Meaning: a short period of tim
Example: I will be able to sit with you for a while, but I need to get home soon.

bring up
Meaning: in the literal form, it means to take something to a higher place
Example: Please bring up some more blankets when you come to bed.

come out
Meaning: to reveal something (often unintentionally)
Example: I didn’t mean to tell him about your job interview, it just came out.

turn over a new leaf
Meaning: to alter your behaviour in a positive way
Example: He has not been in trouble this year. He has really turned over a new leaf.

get through
Meaning: to make it to the end of a particularly arduous or stressful experience
Example: I didn’t think we would get through the last week of exams.

vim and vigor
Meaning: full of energy and enthusiasm
Example: Even though my grandmother is in her 80s, she is still full of vim and vigor.

buy the far
Meaning: to die
Example: Mister Jack was really ill from the past two months and yesterday he bought the farm.

a fish out of water
Meaning: being uncomfortable and restless
Example: Our new teacher looked like a fish out of the water, nobody was aware of the issue.

bucket list
Meaning: a list of achievements or experiences someone wants to have during their lifetime
Example: Go and buy some sweaters, I have many other things left on my bucket list.

on the tip of my tongue
Meaning: something like a name or word that you know it but cannot remember at a particular moment
Example: It won’t take me much time to remember, her name is on the tip of my tongue.

from the bottom of my heart
Meaning: with sincere and deep feeling
Example: I am really happy with the new job and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

light years away
Meaning: when something seems unlikely to happen
Example: The technological advancement like flying cars is light years away.

zero hour
Meaning: a time when a crucial decision or essential action must be taken
Example: Right before the dawn, the British military had been waiting for zero hour to start the operation against terrorists in Afghanistan.

dab hand
Meaning: an expert or skilled person
Example: Sophia is a dab hand at cooking.

bright spark
Meaning: an intelligent and lively person (humorously)
Example: Emma is the bright spark of the school – she scored the highest marks in the class.

bare bones
Meaning: most basic and important elements or facts
Example: Wendy told us a bare-bones version of the long story.

put your foot in it
Meaning: say something (by mistake) that upsets, humiliates, or embarrasses someone
Example: Carla put her foot right in it when she congratulated her neighbour on being pregnant. It turns out she’s not expecting but had just put on weight.

waiting time
Meaning: a period of time from when action is requested to when it happens
Example: The waiting time for non-urgent surgery seems to be on the increase over the last five years.

tempest in a teapot
Meaning: when a minor issue causes an exaggerated reaction of anger or trouble
Example: At first, I thought we were having a general discussion, but it ended setting off a tempest in the teapot.

storm in a teacup
Meaning: an excessive enthusiasm or rage about a minor matter
Example: I find the whole issue about these gender roles a storm in a teacup.

jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: to start doing something because it is fashionable or profitable
Example: get on the bandwagon

zonk out
Meaning: to fall asleep very promptly
Example: After a very hard-working day, she zonked out.

too close for comfort
Meaning: to be very close to something dangerous or unwelcoming
Example: She was standing on the edge of a cliff in the photo, too close for comfort.

jump to conclusions
Meaning: to predict a situation without having sufficient information
Example: Wait till we get the report; don’t jump to conclusions.

in at the deep end
Meaning: to start a new job or activity without being prepared for it
Example: thrown in at the deep end.

no picnic
Meaning: used to express that an activity or action is not fun
Example: I love having little kids around but cleaning up after them is no picnic.

so far so good
Meaning: progress has been satisfactory up to now
Example: Thanks for asking; so far, so good.

feel blue
Meaning: to feel sad or depressed
Example: Yesterday I felt blue, and nothing seemed to cheer me up.

out of hand
Meaning: out of control
Example: When the police arrived, they realised the party was getting out of hand.

you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink
Meaning: we can offer good things to people but we can’t force them to accept that
Example: I have tried my level best to educate him well, but he is still having a non-serious behavior, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

lion’s share
Meaning: the biggest part of something
Example: Karen always keeps a lion’s share – I won’t work with her anymore.

knock out
Meaning: knockout
Example: Does your brother really think that he can knock out the biggest guy in school? I would like to see him try.

mad at
Meaning: to be angry at a person or situation
Example: I am so mad at Jane because she broke my favourite pair of earrings. I told her not to borrow my things.

screw up
Meaning: slang depicting that a mistake was made
Example: I really screwed up this time. My wife will never forgive me for forgetting her birthday.

aftermath
Meaning: the effects of something traumatic
Example: A lot of countries sent help in the aftermath of the earthquake.

white lie
Meaning: a harmless lie
Example: Telling your friend that you like their new haircut, when you really don’t, is an example of a white lie.

take for a ride
Meaning: to trick somebody
Example: I paid for the package but it was never delivered. After two weeks I realized that I had been taken for a ride.

get to know
Meaning: receiving the information
Example: It took me a while to get to know my in-laws and understanding their lifestyle.

green with envy
Meaning: extremely jealous of another person
Example: Sally was green with envy when he saw my brand new car.

seventh heaven
Meaning: being glad
Example: Nicole Kidman was in seventh heaven when she received the award for the best actress.

heavy heart
Meaning: attaining a state of grief
Example: With a heavy heart, we had to leave the funeral ceremony.

lighten up
Meaning: to take it easy
Example: Just lighten up! Everything will be fine.

crack up
Meaning: go through an emotional breakdown
Example: The entire group cracked up at the joke of their teacher.

free spirit
Meaning: a person who freely lives a life of his own way
Example: His wife is a free spirit, she does not believe in the work that we do.

keep the wolf from the door
Meaning: to have sufficient money to prevent starvation or hunger
Example: Both the man and his wife must work long hours just to keep the wolf from the door.

so to speak
Meaning: as it where
Example: I will tell you what is going on but only because you are already family, so to speak

stands to reason
Meaning: to reach a logical conclusion
Example: The company stands to reason that the project will take at least another six months to conclude given that none of the managers have a better grip on the work.

up to no good
Meaning: to have an evil plan
Example: The children can be up to no good cooped up in that attic together for two hours. You must go up and check.

troubled waters
Meaning: a difficult phase of life
Example: The situation was getting worse, but like all the other members of the company, he was fascinated by troubled waters.

live wire
Meaning: an energetic and volatile person
Example: John is such a live wire; he is a good source of entertainment.

long run
Meaning: in the long run
Example: To make this project successful in the long run, they will need more partners.

Black Friday
Meaning: a day of a financial disaster
Example: My friends wait desperately for online sales on Black Friday.

get the wrong end of the stick
Meaning: to understand something in the wrong way
Example: When Jack and Taylor arrived at the award function together, everyone got the wrong end of the stick.

get on nerves
Meaning: tick someone off
Example: Put your mobile phone in a silent mode – its loud ringtone is getting on my nerves.

mind your own business
Meaning: to look into your own matter
Example: I would like you to mind your own business and stop telling me what to do.

good grief
Meaning: occurrence of something shocking
Example: Good grief, is she going to kick her brother in front of the entire school? This is really shocking for me.

the lion’s den
Meaning: a place which is uncomfortable
Example: Two of the new students were thrown into the lion’s den as their ragging was taking place.

miles away
Meaning: unaware of the current situation
Example: Just by reading her facial expressions, I can easily tell you that she is miles away.

make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: magnifying the content
Example: You are just making a mountain out of a molehill, you just gave a wrong answer, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to qualify to the second round.

dead as a doornail
Meaning: becoming obsolete
Example: The flowers are all dead as a doornail.

dead in the water
Meaning: unable to produce movement
Example: Their company is trying to revive an income that is dead in the water.

rule out
Meaning: to exclude out something
Example: Rule out each and every word from the application which you don’t want the principal to read.

as a result
Meaning: the outcome of something that you have done.
Example: As a result of this mishap, he was not on work for a week.

spend a fortune
Meaning: spend a small fortune
Example: Do not spend a fortune on the gifts to make others happy.

black day
Meaning: it is a day on which something terrible has happened
Example: My grandmother told me that it is a black day tomorrow.

pep talk
Meaning: a motivational speech
Example: Last night, I met Sara for a pep talk because I had my interview the very next day.

like a bat out of hell
Meaning: very fast and crazily
Example: When Sara told Sam that there is a ghost living next to their room, he changed the room like a bat out of hell.

trouble shared is trouble halved
Meaning: a trouble shared is a trouble halved
Example: Don’t hesitate to share your problems with me. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.

all roads lead to Rome
Meaning: all the routes are directed towards the center
Example: Take any route of your choice because all roads lead to Rome.

knock socks off
Meaning: doing something which was never done before
Example: Lara’s performance at the concert last night just knocked my socks off.

apples to oranges
Meaning: the items that cannot be compared with each other
Example: We cannot compare Sara and Salina. They are apples and oranges.

fake it till you make it
Meaning: portray yourself like the person you always wanted to become
Example: I had no idea that her family is so illiterate as she always pretended to be classy. Fake it till you make it.

six of one, half a dozen of the other
Meaning: comparison between the two things which are identical
Example: If I go north or south, I will turn up at the same location. It is six of one, half dozen of the other.

out of business
Meaning: out of operational conditions
Example: If we keep on selling our goods at the same price, we will soon go out of business.

against the grain
Meaning: a difficult path to be followed
Example: It is against the grain for me to tackle dishonest people.

music to ears
Meaning: something that is soothing to your ears
Example: Our teacher told us that we will get a long summer break and this was just music to my ears.

apples to apples
Meaning: having a fair comparison between the two things
Example: To find out who is stronger is the apples to apples measure their capability to win the first prize in the field of Olympics.

by chance
Meaning: something which was not planned to happen
Example: He told himself that it was by chance so as to bring peace to his mind.

bundle up
Meaning: to dress warmly to protect oneself from the elements
Example: It is important to bundle up before you go out to keep from getting cold.

set off
Meaning: to start a journey
Example: We would like to set off for Paris by 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

catch up
Meaning: to get to the same level, standard, or status as something or someone
Example: Singapore is trying so hard to catch up with Japan when it comes to technological advancements.

you’re on
Meaning: used to accept a challenge or bet
Example: Max: I challenge you to join me in my 100km run this month. Samuel: You’re on!

put the brakes on
Meaning: to stop or slow down an activity
Example: The economic situation is not looking good because of Brexit and this making the Prime Minister put the brakes on international investments.

easy does it
Meaning: used to tell someone to go ahead with something with slowly, and carefully
Example: Sandra: I asked him for a simple drawing! To be honest, I am so angry right now. Andrew: Easy does it, Sandra. We will make sure he refunds the money.

mark my words
Meaning: used to let someone know to pay attention to what you are saying because it is very important especially when you are certain something would happen in future
Example: Mark my words, she won’t regret taking me up on my offer.

pie in the sky
Meaning: used to portray or refer to something that is lovely to consider however is probably not going to happen
Example: Her dream of wanting to move to London to become a famous singer is a pie in the sky if you ask me.

Easter egg
Meaning: a decorated or dyed egg usually given to children at Easter
Example: While scrolling down the menu of Grand Theft Auto V, I happened upon an Easter egg.

out of the frying pan into the fire
Meaning: to go from a bad to worse situation
Example: In a bid to gain independence, she agreed to get married early, not knowing she was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

toot one’s own horn
Meaning: blow one’s own horn
Example: My father told me never to toot my own horn.

fast food
Meaning: food that is tasty but has less or no nutritional value is referred to as fast food
Example: Nina loves French fries and other fast food.

on a roll
Meaning: making a lot of progress
Example: Our team has won eleven out of our twelve matches this season. We are on a roll.

ward off
Meaning: to prevent something from harming you
Example: Our government has doubled the number of soldiers at the border to ward off illegal immigrants.

take for granted
Meaning: to underestimate the value of something or someone
Example: I took the weather for granted when I lived in America. Now I am struggling to get used to the cold.

mind your own beeswax
Meaning: do not interfere into someone else’s matter
Example: I am not asking for your opinion, mind your own beeswax.

walking on air
Meaning: to be very happy (elated)
Example: I have been walking on air since I found out that I have been awarded a scholarship to study music.

lean towards
Meaning: to be interested in something
Example: I am not sure which couch would look best in our house. I am leaning towards the blue one. What do you think?

chill pill
Meaning: something that has a relaxing outcome
Example: Can someone please tell Matthew to take a chill pill? We will be on time for the party.

drop by
Meaning: an informal visit
Example: I hope to finish the dress before Saturday. If you want to see what it looks like you should drop by over the weekend.

broken heart
Meaning: break someone’s heart
Example: I know he broke your heart, but there are other boys out there who are better than him.

blind as a bat
Meaning: unconscious to something
Example: Maria is so in love, she is as blind as a bat when it comes to Mark’s rude behavior.

in a fog
Meaning: in a great confusion
Example: Jane always seems to be in a fog.

dollars to donuts
Meaning: an outcome that is almost assured is called as dollars to doughnuts
Example: And I’ll bet dollars to donuts that he will have no strategic plan on how to effectively deny Clinton’s speech.

fair-weather friend
Meaning: used to refer a friend who is not reliable in difficult times
Example: Simran is looking for a loyal friend, not a fair-weather friend.

under fire
Meaning: being shot at
Example: The politician came under fire after it was discovered that he had spend campaign money on lavish parties.

first light
Meaning: the time when the light begins to appear in the morning
Example: The search for the missing children will continue at first light.

once bitten, twice shy
Meaning: a bad experience cause to believe caution
Example: I will never work with Peter again. He expects everyone to do the work on his behalf, once bitten twice shy.

kick the habit
Meaning: to overcome an addiction especially of an addiction like drugs
Example: Even after trying so hard, I could not kick the habit of drinking.

make ends meet
Meaning: make sufficient money to survive on
Example: We will need to start saving money in order to make ends meet.

head above water
Meaning: to succeed to survive in bad financial situations
Example: I have to work 60 hours a week just to keep my head above water. I don’t know how people do it.

up and about
Meaning: to get out of the bed actively after sleep
Example: He was up and about within a few days of the operation.

zip it
Meaning: to ask someone to shut up
Example: The teacher had asked the class to zip it but today everybody seemed to want to talk a lot. So she punished the entire class.

in vain
Meaning: without success
Example: It seems as if the merger will go through and all our hard work has been in vain.

sleep tight
Meaning: an affectionate way of wishing someone a good night’s sleep
Example: I am going to bed now. Good night, sleep tight.

on your mark
Meaning: absolutely accurate
Example: Runners, please get ready. On your mark, get set, go!

too close to call
Meaning: a margin that is too close to determine a winner
Example: There are only a few minutes left in the match and it is too close to call.

the devil is beating his wife
Meaning: raining whereas the sun is shining
Example: Today, the devil is beating his wife in our city – it’s raining cats and dog and sun is also shining.

when hell freezes over
Meaning: impolite way of saying “it will never happen”
Example: I guess, she will forgive you when hell freezes over.

all that glitters is not gold
Meaning: the shining outer look of something is not a consistent sign of its real character
Example: My grandmother advised me to be careful about making new friends because all that glitters is not gold.

forty winks
Meaning: sleep for a while, mostly during the day
Example: The bank manager caught the security guard while taking forty winks on duty.

Elvis has left the building
Meaning: the show is ended and go home now
Example: I think we delayed coming – Elvis has left the building.

famous last words
Meaning: a comment or a prophecy that is expected to be proved incorrect
Example: I was thinking that I will not have dinner today. Famous last words, I am very hungry.

sense of humour
Meaning: the ability to enjoy funniness
Example: I appreciate the fact that you have a sense of humour, but we need to be serious now.

a stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: do not wait to deal with a specific problem or you risk it getting much worse later on
Example: John said to his brother, ” You better bring your car to the shop while it’s still running, because a stitch in time saves nine”.

other half
Meaning: husband, wife, or partner of someone
Example: Next time I come to this restaurant I will bring my other half.

for a song
Meaning: incredibly inexpensive
Example: She bought those lovely shoes at a flea market for a song.

not at all
Meaning: a polite response when someone says “thank you” – as a synonym for “you’re welcome”
Example: Thank you so much for helping with my move. Not at all.

beat the heat
Meaning: finding a way to stay cool when it is very hot outside
Example: I have found that drinking a cool glass of water helps to beat the heat in summer.

make do
Meaning: to cope with something even though the circumstances are not ideal
Example: I will make do without all of the research and send you a proposal by the end of the day.

leg it
Meaning: an informal way of telling someone to run in order to evade capture
Example: We were trespassing on their property. When the alarm went off we had to leg it or we would be caught.

snow under
Meaning: to bury or cover something or somebody in the snow (Literal meaning)
Example: I feel snowed under with all the work my boss keeps throwing my way.

last long
Meaning: existing or persevering for a significant amount of time
Example: The debate on whether man and woman were created equal has been long-lasting and significant.

next of kin
Meaning: close relative
Example: We cannot release the names of the soldiers killed at the battle of Normandy until we’ve informed their next of kin.

fall from grace
Meaning: to lose status, respect or prestige
Example: The Economic and Finance minister’s fall from grace gave her detractors great satisfaction.

go with the flow
Meaning: to do what other people are doing in any particular situation
Example: Kevin didn’t want to be part of the protest, but all his friends wanted to stand for something, so he chose to go with the flow.

neck and neck
Meaning: extremely near one another
Example: The two athletes have been neck and neck for this entire race.

under the radar
Meaning: off the radar
Example: They managed to stay under the radar for years, after stealing all that money from their friends.

get your goat
Meaning: irritate somebody
Example: She got my goat the moment she said my mother was no good at parenting.

piece of writing
Meaning: the work of a writer, anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)
Example: The editorial was a fine piece of writing.

speak soon
Meaning: talk to you soon
Example: Thank you so much for your assistance Sandra, speak soon.

piece of work
Meaning: a complex, tricky, or odd person
Example: My friend has the weirdest of opinions, he’s a real piece of work.

stand out
Meaning: extend beyond or above a surface
Example: The blood vessels in the back of his right leg stood out.

road to recovery
Meaning: the procedure of becoming healthy again
Example: The Grecian Government was supposed to put Europe on the road to recovery from the Economic and financial crisis.

slip of the tongue
Meaning: a mistake in speech (or writing)
Example: The election bill was altered, by what I believe was a slip of the pen.

over and above
Meaning: in addition to
Example: Firefighters always go over and above to ensure that people are safe.

over and over again
Meaning: again and again
Example: I have cleaned up this mess over and over again but ever time I come back it is dirty again.

over and out
Meaning: said when someone is finished talking
Example: I have told you that you will not be going to the party. There will be no further discussion. Over and out.

prone to
Meaning: having a tendency to something – usually awful or unfortunate
Example: Kindly drive slow; this road is prone to accidents.

get off
Meaning: to leave a place in order to start a journey
Example: If we get off before five o’clock the traffic will not be as bad.

on the mend
Meaning: to improve in health after an illness
Example: After a long illness he is finally on the mend.

look forward
Meaning: to eagerly await something
Example: I am looking forward to seeing my best friend next weekend. I have not seen him for six months.

like a hole in the head
Meaning: to have absolutely no need for something
Example: I need a new friend is like a hole in the head, I am good to be single.

snow job
Meaning: an elaborate cover up of something
Example: The new CEO promises that the company performed very well this year. He has yet to release the financial statements, I am afraid that it’s a snow job.

in the nick of time
Meaning: almost too late
Example: He arrived at the wedding in the nick of time.

bump into
Meaning: to meet someone by chance/accident
Example: It was so nice to bump into you last week. I haven’t seen you in years.

I could eat a horse
Meaning: to be extremely hungry
Example: Could we please go out and get some dinner? I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.

low hanging fruit
Meaning: a goal that can be easily reached
Example: There are a lot of things that need to be completed for our project. I would suggest that we start with the low hanging fruit.

double take
Meaning: to be so surprised at something that you have to take another look (American meaning)
Example: I did a double take when I saw how much weight my best friend had lost.

the devil is in the detail
Meaning: It means that when you do not concentrate on the details of something you may run into unexpected problems
Example: “Have you seen my beautiful new bag? I paid a fortune for it.” “Really? It is a fake. The stitching of the original bags is blue, not green.” “How disappointing. I guess the devil is in the details.”

shifting sands
Meaning: Refers to something that is constantly changing, often making a person feel uncertain
Example: My husband has had trouble maintaining a job in the shifting sands of the economy.

so and so
Meaning: Used in the place of someone’s name, indicating that the person is of little importance
Example: I love how June is always telling us how she met so-and-so on her travels. Everyone knows that she is making it up.

so so
Meaning: average – neither bad and nor good
Example: The new restaurant in town is so-so. It is not the worst food that I have ever eaten, but I would not go back.

all the rage
Meaning: when something is the height of popularity
Example: My parents used to love the Beatles. They were all the rage when they were teenagers.

earworm
Meaning: a situation when a song that comes to your mind again and again
Example: This new PitBull song is a real earworm. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since last week.

lose it
Meaning: go insane or crazy
Example: I thought he had lost it when he told me how much his new car had cost.

lost on
Meaning: it means that someone did not understand the remark or joke
Example: She seems like a very smart lady, but my sense of humour seems to be lost on her.

lost to
Meaning: to be defeated by someone
Example: I cannot believe that we lost to their team on Saturday. We practised so hard.

take over
Meaning: to take control of something – often by force
Example: I can’t believe that they were able to launch a takeover of our company.

Mr Right, Ms Right
Meaning: the best future life partner for someone
Example: I wish that I could meet Mr Right. All of the men that I meet seem so immature.

ups and downs
Meaning: good times and bad times
Example: Every relationship has its ups and downs. It is important to stick it out.

knight in shining armour
Meaning: used to describe someone who saves you from a difficult situation
Example: Thank you so much for fixing my flat tire. You are a knight in shining armour.

give a shot
Meaning: to have a try at something
Example: I have never eaten sushi, but I will give it a shot.

take turns
Meaning: to alternate doing something
Example: I understand that everybody wants to try driving, but you will have to take turns.

high roller
Meaning: a wealthy person or company who spends their money in a risky way, often by making risky investments that can offer large rewards
Example: I would never invest money in their company. They are high rollers and I cannot afford that kind of risk.

cut the crap
Meaning: a very crude way of telling someone to stop doing something that you do not like
Example: Please cut the crap and tell us what really happened at his birthday party.

wind up
Meaning: to be annoyed by someone
Example: My sister really knows how to wind me up.

up to the mark
Meaning: to be good enough
Example: Your exam results this term were not up to the mark.

hang up
Meaning: to disconnect a phone call. It is often used when someone does not want to continue a conversation
Example: If you do not stop complaining then I will hang up on you.

in a row
Meaning: to happen a couple of consecutive times without break
Example: He has been sick for three days in a row.